In the age of philosophers, Jose Mourinho remains the pragmatist, absolutely indifferent to having his own Plan A, when it is possible to stop the opposition from fulfilling them.
It is an approach that has previously won titles, champions leagues and countless big matches, but which feels more and more outdated when tested against modern top coaches.
And yet Mourinho’s approach is also fascinating in its own way.
He is so determined to work back from the opposition that he ends up implementing systems completely different from anything else we see in the Premier League. His response to opposing the sides using the side wings of both sides of a front three is often to leave the wings back in a rear six. He formed six backs in a completely different way earlier this season, when Tottenham met Manchester City, asking the two central midfielders to become bonus defenders. It worked brilliantly in a 2-0 Spurs victory. Is not…